ON THE TOWN: Enjoy a taste of summer

Summer means dining al fresco. You can eat outdoors at home, but hey, take a break and try out a few of the area’s restaurants that have patios.

If you are into waterfront dining, check out La Roes in Grand Rapids along the Maumee River; the Docks lineup of restaurants from Italian to seafood on the east side across from downtown Toledo; Webber’s Waterfront Restaurant and the River Cafe in Point Place along the Ottawa River; Bay Shore Supper Club in Oregon for a Lake Erie view, the Lighthouse on Broadway along the Maumee River; or call to check hours for public dining at Maumee River Yacht Club on the Maumee River and Toledo Yacht Club on Summit Street in Bay View Park.

There are also many other outdoor patios, not on the water, but they provide a fun way to enjoy the outdoors. Herbie’s in Haskins has swinging seats at the bar outside. Chowders ‘N Moor in Waterville is popular for a quick bite. In Perrysburg on Lousiana Avenue there are a host of restaurants with outdoor patios including Casa Barron, Swig, Stella’s, and Zingo’s Mediterranean. Nearby, Fifth Street Pub has a screened porch. Levis Commons has Bar Louie with a two-story terrace, Tea Tree Asian Bistro, Belle Wine & Martini Lounge, or across the street, Social, a Gradkowski restaurant.

Cigar Affair’s Cigarden in Maumee is a hidden respite. Maumee also has Degage Jazz Cafe and Mancy’s Bluewater Grille. Caper’s Restaurant and Bar on South Byrne Road has a good-sized patio.

In Sylvania is the Village Inn with a laid-back deck and at Element 112 a patio. Still more outdoor dining options include Burger Bar 419, Bar 145, Treo, Shorty’s True American Roadhouse, Mancy’s Italian, Ciao! Ristorante, Loma Linda’s, and Ventura’s. Rosie’s Italian Grille has an enclosed patio with a fountain. El Camino Real at Douglas Road and Sylvania Avenue has a big enclosed patio with umbrella tables, so who would know one is on a busy street?

If you are in downtown Toledo, stop at Ye Olde Durty Bird, Bronze Boar, Cock N Bull, and Packo’s at the Park for outdoor patios or PizzaPapalis which has open-air dining. Also in the vicinity are Manos Greek Restaurant, which has a courtyard and an upstairs deck; Manhattan’s, and Wesley’s as well as San Marco’s. The Melt Shoppe in Bowling Green is nice, too.

Or take a drive to Mon Ami in Port Clinton where there is a large outdoor patio for dining while listening to live music. For country club casual dining outdoors, Chez Francois, a 5-star restaurant in Vermillion is popular. One can watch boats pass by on the Vermillion River headed into Lake Erie.

I am sure I didn’t get them all, so if there is a favorite place you like that was not mentioned, let me know.

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